Uroguanylin and guanylin are produced by neuroendocrine cells in the intestine in response to oral ingestion of NaCl. These hormones enter the circulation and inhibit NaCl and water reabsorption by the kidneys via activation of membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase receptors, which
Sgk1 (serum glucocorticoid-stimulated kinase), a serine/threonine kinase, plays an important role in maintaining NaCl and K+ homeostasis by regulating excretion of both NaCl and K+ by the kidneys. Studies in Sgk1 knockout mice reveal that this kinase is required for animals to survive severe NaCl restriction and K+ loading. NaCl restriction and K+ loading enhance plasma [aldosterone], which rapidly (in minutes) increases Sgk1 protein expression and phosphorylation. Phosphorylated Sgk1 enhances ENaC-mediated Na+ reabsorption in the collecting duct, primarily by increasing the number of ENaCs in the apical plasma membrane of principal cells and also by increasing the number of Na+,K+-ATPase pumps in the basolateral membrane. Phosphorylated Sgk1 inhibits Nedd4-2, a ubiquitin ligase that monoubiquitinylates ENaC subunits, thereby targeting them for endocytic removal from the plasma membrane and subsequent destruction in lysosomes. Inhibition of Nedd4-2 by Sgk1 reduces the monoubiquitinylation of ENaC, thereby reducing endocytosis and increasing the number of channels in the membrane. Sgk1 induces the translocation of K+ channels (ROMK) from an intracellular pool to the plasma membrane, and thereby enhances ROMK-mediated K+ secretion by principal cells. These effects of Sgk1 precede the aldosterone-stimulated increase in ENaC, ROMK, and Na+,K+-ATPase abundance, which leads to a delayed (>4 hours) secondary increase in NaCl and K+ transport by the collecting duct. Activating polymorphisms in Sgk1 cause an increase in blood pressure, presumably by enhancing NaCl reabsorption by the collecting duct, which increases the ECFV and thereby blood pressure.
increase intracellular [cGMP]. The involvement of these gut-derived hormones helps explain why the natriuretic response of the kidneys to an oral NaCl load is more pronounced than when delivered intravenously.
Catecholamines stimulate reabsorption of NaCl. Catecholamines released from the sympathetic nerves (norepinephrine) and the adrenal medulla (epinephrine) stimulate reabsorption of NaCl and water by the proximal tubule, thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct. Although sympathetic nerves are not active when ECFV is normal, when ECFV declines (e.g., after hemorrhage), sympathetic nerve activity rises and dramatically stimulates reabsorption of NaCl and water by these four nephron segments.
Dopamine, a catecholamine, is released from dopaminergic nerves in the kidneys and is also synthesized by cells of the proximal tubule. The action of dopamine is opposite that of norepinephrine and epinephrine. Secretion of dopamine is stimulated by an increase in ECFV, and its secretion directly inhibits reabsorption of NaCl and water in the proximal tubule.
Adrenomedullin is a 52–amino acid peptide hormone that is produced by a variety of organs, including the kidneys. Adrenomedullin induces a marked diuresis and natriuresis, and its secretion is stimulated by congestive heart failure and hypertension. The major effect of adrenomedullin on the kidneys is to increase GFR and renal blood flow and